Program Snapshot

We're so excited that you're considering IFSA-Butler's program at SOAS, University of London for your semester or year abroad. Located in eclectic and diverse London, SOAS is the only higher education institution in the U.K. specializing in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Near and Middle East. We're sure you're going to love studying there!

There are a few specific forms for this program that you will need to complete along with your IFSA-Butler application. You can find the forms under the Forms tab.

What SOAS has to offer

Specialization in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East

One of the world's leading institutions of its kind

The SOAS library attracts scholars from all over the world

A truly international place to study: More than 50 percent of the student body comes from outside the U.K.

Academics

Courses

Please read the "Key to Listings" section before reviewing the course catalog. The first column of numbers is the course value, either 0.5 or 1.0. The second column of numbers is the semester in which the course is offered: 1 = first semester; 2/3 = second semester, 1/2 = first and second semesters.

What courses am I eligible to take?As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog (see above) include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course. You must take all courses for academic credit, and must complete all coursework and exams in order to obtain credit on the Butler University transcript.

For each course that you list on your preference form, be sure to check the following:

When determining which courses to take, please bear in mind that the academic system is an intensive, three-year program.

First-year (100 level) courses are appropriate for departments in which you have little or no prior experience.

Second-year (200 level) courses will be equivalent to advanced sophomore or junior-level U.S. courses.

Third-year (300 level) courses will be equivalent to senior-level U.S. courses.

Fourth-year (400 level) courses and higher are part of a postgraduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.). You are not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student.

Where can I get the syllabi of the courses I'm interested in taking?Your best source of information about courses (including course descriptions) is through the individual department pages on the SOAS website. From the home page, click on "Faculties, Departments and Centres" either at the top or center of the page. Then click on the department that interests you. Each department page is different, so it may require some searching to find course descriptions. I suggest starting with "Degree Programmes" and see if you can find course descriptions this way. Some departments, like history, offer very detailed course descriptions. Others, like anthropology, offer no course descriptions. It is an imperfect system but it is the most up-to-date information available on courses at present.

When and how will I register for classes?You will officially enroll in classes after you arrive in London. During the SOAS orientation, you will be given instructions and the paperwork necessary to enroll in classes. Although there is no "drop/add" period at SOAS, it is possible to switch from one class to another if you do so within the first week of the semester.

Can I take classes in more than one school/faculty/department?You may list classes in more than one department, but please be aware that this may cause scheduling problems. You must meet the course entry requirements, such as having a background equivalent to the course prerequisites. Students wishing to take language classes will be required to take a language assessment test upon arrival to determine their language level and competence. Your home university must approve the classes you want to take in order for you to receive U.S. academic credit for them.

What are the classes like at SOAS?Classes at SOAS often consist of 50-minute lectures given by a member of the faculty. These lectures, similar to lectures in the U.S., will set up important themes and ideas of the class. It is often based on the reading list given to students at the beginning of the term. Classes that are primarily lecture-based are often accompanied by tutorials or smaller class seminars, in which students can discuss the content of the lecture. A teacher who helps lead and/or provoke discussion will accompany this tutorial.

Can I take classes at other schools within the University of London federation?No. Students enrolled as study abroad students at SOAS must take all of their classes at SOAS.

Course Restrictions

Fourth-year (400 level) courses and higher are part of a postgraduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.). You are not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student.

Credits

How many courses am I able to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution, according to IFSA-Butler. The number of courses you take depends on how long you are studying at SOAS.

A full course load at SOAS for single semester students is four courses, which can be any combination of full or half-credit units. For single semester students, four courses are required regardless of the SOAS credits indicated.

Full-year students must take 4 SOAS credits: for example, three full-credit courses and two half-credit courses. For information on the credit weight, please review the information below:

Registration

What are the registration conditions?You must take a full SOAS course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A-F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.

You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

The course preference form is not a registration form; it is a guideline to let your host university know which courses you are interested in taking abroad. You should discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home institution and have several backup choices in mind. Neither you nor the university is bound by your selections, and you will not officially register for courses until you arrive on campus.

Exams

What do I need to know about exams?Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to your program calendar to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university's policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting an academic record query for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at SOAS, University of London. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.

Exploring Community & Culture

Student praise for C&C:

"We were able to discuss current issues while bringing information from our classes to the table. My friend from college was in another study abroad program and she was jealous because they didn't have a C&C."

"At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it, but it really helped me to see things from a different perspective. I am pretty sure I would not have gotten the same out of my time in London without doing the C&C."

IFSA-Butler's Exploring Community & Culture program (C&C) at SOAS is designed to take students' study abroad experiences to another level. It encourages them to get the most out of their time abroad by blending intercultural learning with an exploration of the local community and local community groups. Selected activities will foster your intercultural learning through a series of on-site discussions and self-reflection. Through this program you will be encouraged to engage with the community in which you are living and question your own perspective of the world, while learning to appreciate similarities and differences between cultures and communities.

At SOAS, the C&C is a course that you can take for either 2 U.S. semester credit hours or as a certificate program. The amount of work you do for the course will depend on whether you are seeking academic credit or just a certificate. Regardless of which option you choose, the course is comprised of at least eight sessions which include classroom discussion combined with field excursions designed to assist you in exploring the complexities and curiosities of London's varied neighborhoods.

Students who have participated in the C&C in past semesters have found it a great way to explore and get to know London and, with their fellow IFSA-Butler students, to learn interculturally from their everyday experiences there.

You can indicate your interest in the C&C course and mark your choice between certificate and credit on the required C&C course enrollment form. Please return this form to your IFSA-Butler program advisor before departure.

Housing

Housing Options

What are my housing options?The majority of students will be placed in a SOAS hall of residence. Dinwiddy House is the common location for SOAS students, although intercollegiate housing is also a possibility.

In general you can expect the following characteristics at Dinwiddy House:

Each student has a single bedroom with a sink, toilet and shower.

A bedding pack is included.

Housing is self-catering (i.e., there is no meal plan).

Kitchen equipment is not provided.

Students are integrated with other SOAS students of all nationalities.

Students can expect to have their own phone and an email access point.

Dinwiddy House is a two-minute walk from the Vernon Square campus, and a 25-minute walk (or short tube or bus ride) away from the Russell Square campus.

Meals

All accommodations are self-catering. No meal plans are available.

Housing FAQs

Is my housing included in the program fee?Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation at the university while classes are in session. You will be responsible for the cost of your meals (whether a meal plan or self-catered) and any commuting costs you may incur. Some university housing requires students to move out during winter and spring breaks. If you wish to remain in residence during the vacation period(s), you must notify the university housing office upon arrival to make necessary arrangements. Staying in residence during university breaks may incur additional costs not covered by the IFSA-Butler program fee.

When will I receive my housing assignment?You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in England for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.

Do I have to pay a housing deposit?Yes. IFSA-Butler requires a refundable housing deposit of $300 before going abroad. We will return this deposit to you after March 1 for fall programs or September 1 for spring and year programs, less any fines, damages or outstanding debts in your name.

Can I arrange my own housing?Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you've made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing by the program application deadline for your term abroad, listed at the top of this page. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after the deadline.

Location Info

Living and Studying in London, England

About LondonPopulation: 9 millionLocation: Southeast England

City features

One of the most cosmopolitan, hip cities in the world, with an atmosphere of excitement and sophistication

A major global city with remarkable cultural, historic, artistic, political and intellectual offerings

Home to many universities scattered throughout different neighborhoods, each with its own atmosphere and attractions

A diverse population with more than 300 languages spoken within the city

Dates & Fees

Program Dates

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Important: Once you are abroad, please verify the program end date with the department(s) in which you are studying. Ending dates may vary from department to department, and you will be expected to complete all course obligations prior to your departure. Program housing is available only until the program end date.

Your program end date may change due to circumstances beyond IFSA-Butler's control. Upon arrival at your host university, be sure to verify your exam schedule and program end date. We also strongly recommend that you investigate fees and penalties associated with your airline tickets in case you need to make date or route changes.

In the United Kingdom, exams are taken under formal conditions and changes cannot be made for individuals. Exams must be taken where and when scheduled.

Program Fees

Academic Year and Fall Payments Due: July 1Spring Payment Due: November 15

Program Fee BillsIFSA-Butler will send a single bill for tuition, services and housing. Any bills for tuition differentials and/or supplemental housing fees will be sent separately. Students who opt for independent housing will not be charged the housing component of the program fee.

HousingThe housing component of our program fee is based on the average cost of local student self-catering accommodation, usually a shared room in a regular dormitory, apartment or house without any extra features.

† Housing DepositThis program requires a housing deposit of $300. This payment is in addition to the program fee but is due on the same date. The deposit is held separately from the program fee and should be paid separately. The deposit is refunded to the student after the program, less any damages, fines or outstanding debts in the student’s name.

Personal Cost Estimates

These figures are designed to assist students with financial planning but are only estimates based on past students’ experiences at the current exchange rate. They do not include any entertainment or vacation travel costs.

The above numbers are general estimates of expenses during a program abroad. We recommend taking into account your current spending habits, the cost of living in your host country and the current exchange rate. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor can be helpful as you attempt to work on a personal budget for your experience abroad.

*Student Visa: U.S. citizens studying in the U.K. for less than six months (180 days) do not need to apply for a visa, but can instead enter the country as a student visitor at no cost. Student visitors are allowed to remain in the U.K. for up to six months but are not allowed to undertake any paid work or unpaid volunteer activities. Citizens of some countries may be required to obtain a student visa. If this applies to you, your IFSA-Butler program advisor will notify you. Detailed instructions regarding U.K. visas will be sent to all students upon acceptance.

We must receive these forms before we can send your application to SOAS, University of London for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.

If you have already started an application to the SOAS program, you can track which forms IFSA-Butler has received by logging into the student portal.

Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in England:

Program Advisor David Watkins assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. David can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, ext. 4229. David graduated from the University of Cincinnati with bachelor’s degrees in international affairs and political science. He studied abroad in France, Israel and the West Bank, and began a study abroad program with IFSA-Butler in Egypt during the spring of 2011. After political evacuation from Egypt, he continued his studies in Morocco. David currently advises students planning on studying abroad in England, New Zealand and Australia.

Student Accounts Coordinator Angelita Shaffer assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Angelita can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4221.

Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler since 2000, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.

Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office, including our resident directors. Click here to read more about Resident Directors Lynne Alvarez and Andrew Williams.

Upon return from your study abroad program, Assistant Director for Academic Affairs Rhonda Hinkle processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Rhonda completed her undergraduate coursework at the University of Evansville and received her master's degree from Bowling Green State University. She also has taken doctoral courses at Ball State University. For Rhonda, study abroad not only increased her awareness of the world around her but also ignited her passion for travel and education. Rhonda can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4259.

Summer Program

SOAS offers a five-week summer opportunity. Participants take two classes, one in Arabic language and the other an elective in Arab culture or Middle East politics. Guest lectures are also part of the program. Click here to learn more.